Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Jun 23: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B K Hariprasad on Tuesday urged party workers and booth level agents (BLAs) to remain vigilant during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, warning that negligence could threaten the foundation of democracy and constitutional values.

Addressing the SIR Janajagruthi convention at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in Mangaluru, Hariprasad said that Congress workers must ensure that genuine voters are not removed from the electoral list. He instructed BLAs to work closely with booth level officers (BLOs) and conduct door-to-door visits to verify voter details.

Alleging that the BJP and RSS were attempting to remove genuine voters through the SIR process, Hariprasad said, “If we fail to remain alert during the voter revision process, the constitution itself will be weakened.” He accused the BJP of engaging in electoral manipulation and claimed that similar issues had occurred in other states.

Referring to his experience as an election in-charge in West Bengal, Hariprasad alleged that several suspicious practices were witnessed during elections. He criticised the BJP’s claim of being a “party with a difference” and questioned its commitment to democratic principles.

He said that democracy means a system “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” and alleged that vulnerable communities, including tribal groups and minorities, could be affected if proper care is not taken during voter mapping.

Highlighting India’s diversity, Hariprasad said the country’s strength lies in its pluralism, where people of different religions, languages, castes, and regions live together. He recalled the contributions of social reformers like Kudmul Ranga Rao, who worked for social justice and education.

He emphasized that Congress is not merely a political organisation seeking power but a party with the responsibility of protecting citizens’ rights. He called upon party workers to treat the SIR campaign as a movement to safeguard democracy.

'Responsibility of party leaders to protect voters’ rights'

Congress SIR awareness committee state president and former Legislative Council chairman V R Sudarshan said protecting the rights of genuine voters is essential to strengthening democracy.

He noted that party BLAs and leaders have the responsibility to ensure that no genuine voter is removed from the electoral roll due to procedural issues. He urged BLAs to assist voters in providing necessary documents during the revision process.

Sudarshan advised BLAs to actively coordinate with BLOs, identify mistakes in the voter lists, and bring them to the notice of party leaders and election officials. He added that BLAs should not take their responsibility lightly and only those committed to the work should be assigned the role.

The event was attended by minister U T Khader, former ministers Abhayachandra Jain and Mankala Vaidya, former MLA J R Lobo, Ivan D’Souza, Mithun Rai, B Ibrahim, Inayat Ali, Mamatha Gatti, and other Congress leaders and workers.

B K Hariprasad brings simplicity to first Mangaluru visit as KPCC president

The programme also witnessed a change in tradition as B K Hariprasad, during his first visit to Mangaluru after becoming KPCC president, requested party workers not to organise grand welcomes or felicitation programmes.

He had earlier stated that instead of spending money on celebrations, contributions should be made to the party fund. Following this, MLC Ivan D’Souza presented a cheque of Rs 20,000 to Hariprasad towards the party fund.

Hariprasad also avoided sitting on the stage and sat among party leaders and workers, marking a simple and distinctly different approach during the convention.